Pentagon's parking lot closed as sick woman raises Ebola scare

A portion of Pentagon's parking lot was shut down on Friday after a woman, who had recently visited Africa, was found vomitting near it raising fears that she might have contracted Ebola virus on her trip.

Washington: A portion of Pentagon's parking lot was shut down on Friday after a woman, who had recently visited Africa, was found vomitting near it raising fears that she might have contracted Ebola virus on her trip.

"At about 9:10 am, Pentagon Police officers identified a woman in the Pentagon South Parking Lot, around lanes 17-19, who was ill and vomiting," said Lt Col Tom Crosson, Defence Department spokesman.

The local Arlington County Fire Department was notified to respond immediately.

"During the response, the individual indicated that she had recently visited Africa.?Out of an abundance of caution, all pedestrian and vehicular traffic was suspended around the South Parking lot, while Arlington County responded to the scene," Crosson said.

The individual was taken to the Inova Fairfax Hospital.

"Out of an abundance of caution and to allow the investigation to proceed, pedestrian and vehicular traffic around the Pentagon South Parking lot's lanes 7-23 will remain restricted until further notice. The Corridor 2 entrance to the Pentagon is also closed," Crosson said.

Almost 4,500 people have died in the Ebola that broke out in west Africa at the start of the year.